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The 78th British Academy Film Awards, staged on February 16, 2025, at London’s Royal Festival Hall, celebrated a richly varied lineup of cinematic successes. Edward Berger’s “Conclave” as a German film director and Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist” as a U.S. film director were the evening’s largest winners, both collecting four awards.
“Conclave,” a gripping drama based on the closed-door process of electing a new pope, won Best Film and Outstanding British Film—a dual triumph not achieved since the 2019 war film “1917.” It was also acknowledged for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Editing, indicating the favor of the critics. Berger thanked them, adding, “Winning Outstanding British Film is a huge honor. Best British, and I’m not even from here, so I feel so welcome in your midst.”
“The Brutalist,” an immigration saga, took Brady Corbet Best Director. Adrien Brody’s performance as Hungarian architect and Holocaust survivor László Tóth for Best Actor. Best Original Score and Best Cinematography were also awarded for the film. Corbet was overwhelmed with thanks and stated, “I’m very grateful.”
In a surprise turn, Mikey Madison took Best Actress for her portrayal of a New York stripper’s torrid romance with a Russian oligarch’s son in “Anora.” Madison, who previously appeared on “Better Things” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” was visibly taken aback, admitting, “Wow, I really wasn’t expecting this.” She collected the award in the name of the sex workers’ community, demanding respect and a little human decency.
The supporting acting categories also awarded Kieran Culkin as Best Supporting Actor for “A Real Pain,” a tale of two cousins tracing their Jewish heritage in Poland. Zoe Saldaña won Best Supporting Actress for her role In “Emilia Pérez,” a French-made film about a Mexican drug lord who wishes to lead a new life as a woman. “Emilia Pérez” also won the Best International Film award, despite controversies regarding the lead of the film.
Hosted by David Tennant, the show featured highlights like Tennant’s kilted rendition of The Proclaimers’ “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles),” accompanied by stars James McAvoy and Colman Domingo. Longtime actor Warwick Davis received the BAFTA Fellowship for his longtime contributions to the film industry.
Some other notable winners included “Dune: Part Two,” which took awards for the categories of Special Visual Effects and Sound, and the animated feature “Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl,” which won for Best Animated Film and Best Children’s/Family Film. The evening showcased the rich tapestry of storytelling and talent within the global film community.
